SURABAYA, Indonesia — Even though an Indonesian congregation’s construction plan has the support of local residents, the building project is encountering unexpected pushback.
The Toraja Christian Church of Lanraki in Paccerakkang village in Indonesia’s South Sulawesi province began the application process in May 2024 to build in a vacant area, the church’s construction committee chairman, Makis Wata, told Morning Star News. The one request of local residents was that street lights be installed along a portion of the main road.
RELATED: Check out more stories on the persecuted church.
Church ‘strongly’ rejected
On Feb. 4, a banner appeared at Makasar City Police Housing Complex, the entity that issues building permits. Makis said the banner’s message was, in part, “We, all Muslims in Paccerakkang, … strongly reject the construction of a church and religious activities in our area forever.”
The banner was removed later that day, Makis told Morning Star.
For two years, the church has been meeting in a congregant’s home “without any objections or protests” from area residents, Makis said. The proposed plan is to construct a building to accommodate growth in membership.
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